Cincinnati Gymnasium and Athletic Club
Also known as: Cincinnati Athletic Club
Why it's listed
Built in 1902 at 111 Shillito Place, this four-story brick and frame building in downtown Cincinnati has housed the Cincinnati Gymnasium and Athletic Club, now the Cincinnati Athletic Club. Warner & Atkins, a locally prominent firm also known for the Second National Bank Building and Grace Episcopal Church, designed it in the Second Renaissance Revival style. The facade has a rusticated stone base, a carved entrance, large arched windows with medallions, and stone quoins at the corners. Inside, the ground-floor lounge keeps its 1902 layout and molded plaster ceilings, while the upper floors hold the gymnasium and the original banked, suspended running track. The basement retains its tiled swimming pool. The club was organized in 1853 and moved several times before a fire in 1901 prompted a fund drive for a new home. Completed for $64,000, the building was reported by local newspapers to rank among the finest facilities of its kind in the country.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is a significant architectural statement in downtown Cincinnati and a fine example of Second Renaissance Revival design, with a rusticated lower level and molded belt courses, balustrade and window trim above. Newspapers of the time considered it one of the finest facilities of its type in the United States, second only to the Columbia University Gymnasium in New York City. It also houses a club organized in 1853.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 83001978, listed February 17, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 111 Shillito Pl., Cincinnati |
|---|---|
| County | Hamilton County |
| Listed | February 17, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83001978 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- |
| Architect / builder | Warner & Atkins |
| Architectural style | Second Renaissance Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and in use as an athletic club; the lounge keeps its 1902 design and layout, and the original running track and tiled pool survive. |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Coordinates | 39.10254, -84.51528 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 83001978.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5120260
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.